Study Abroad e-diaries
Ben Wajda '09
Geograhy Major
Studying winter/spring 2008 at Murdoch University in Perth, Australia
April 2008
So it is nearly half way through my abroad experience and I have enjoyed every second. I just got home from work and I love the end of the work day because I get a free meal and free beer. It is nice to get to talk with the people I work with too because they are from all over the world. Networking is important in life and when I travel after school, a free place to stay will be much needed.
Since I last posted I have had two presentation at school. One on Reggae and aboriginal culture and the other on swidden agriculture in Indonesia. I have one professor that just motivates me to change my life and make me think of some of my actions. I wrote an 8 page power on how to live a healthy lifestyle and actually enjoyed it.
For our first study break I went on the North West Trip and had the time of my life and met a lot of great people. It was a ten day trip that went up the coast and stopped at monkey mia, coral bay and a few other coastal stops. At Monkey Mia you can feed the dolphins and see the worlds largest pearl farm. I also kayaked for three hours, which was glorious. Coral bay was a good snorkel spot fallowed by happy hour. On our way back to our lodging for the night our charter bus got stuck several times in the mud and we all got out and pushed it out. That happened about five times and we finally just treked back barefoot that is. The trip reached its turning point at Karijini national park, which had the most beautiful gorges and bright red soil. We then spent three days traveling through the outback, spending our last night on a sheep farm. We made dinner over the fire, drank beers, and had a talent show.
Australia is a beautiful place and I love the people for the most part. There are the occasional drunkin wanka that pisses you off, but where isn't there a few of those. Life is good and hope all the other people abroad are enjoying themselves.
much love,
Ben Wajda
January 2008
I absolutely love it here. It has been an average of 25-30 degrees Celsius every day. The nights have been getting cold though. This Sunday it is suppose to be 34, which is a little warm. Paul Hollick is the man, the myth, the legend. He really makes you feel at home. Perth and Fremantle are both a short public commute away.
The people are friendly and I was surprised how many people commute to campus every day. There are 15,000 people enrolled and only 500 and some live on campus. CIEE is paying for our trip to the outback, which is awesome. Paul also organized an 8 day trip to Thailand, but it is too much money for my taste. I will be planning a trip to Bali, so that will be a good experience too and half the price. My classes are small in size surprisingly, no more than 30.
This week has been in the mid 30s and there is no escaping the heat. Yesterday a group of students learned how to play Aussie Rules Footie. A lot of fun, but like I said it has been in the mid 30s. Tonight I am trying out for the mens soccer team. That should be interesting. Tomorrow I start my job at the best pub/restaurant in Freo, Little Creatures. This weekend CIEE is taking us to learn how to surf. I am very excited about that.
Since I have been here I have gone camping at Nagara park with the outdoors club, rented a scooter and drove around Fremantle, spent the weekend at Rottness Island, gone to a didgeridoo concert and so much more. This place is perfect, but it is like any other adventure. It is what you make it. So much to tell, but I actually have to go to class now. It is hard to remember that you have class when it is so beautiful out.
Cheers,
Ben Wajda